Consultant for Postive Deviance Inquiry Study

Job posted by: Save the Children - International - Sat, 14 Jun 2014

Job Details:

Organisation: Save the Children - International

Deadline Sun, 6 Dec 2015

Job type: Temporary

Location: Yemen

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Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children’s lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential. We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.6 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.

Following a major transition, our international programmes are now delivered through a merged operation with c14, 000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We’re changing to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class people and relevant for the 21st century.

The role

This is a consultancy role

In response to the urgent nutrition needs in Hodeida, Save the Children International (SCI) is currently running nutrition projects with curative Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and preventative Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) (preventative) programming. Through the Positive Deviance (PD) approach, SCI aims to further explore local behaviours relevant to prevention of malnutrition. PD will serve as an added value in informing the longer term nutrition strategy and advocacy at donor level. The consultancy will help identify, explore and transfer exceptional but proven successful practices adopted by caretakers of well-nourished children from poor families for better nutrition outcomes for malnourished children living in the same community. The Positive Deviance Inquiry (PDI), which is part of Positive Deviance, will help tap into local solutions adopted by the communities to prevent malnutrition and be able to successfully translate these into behaviours adoptable by others in the community.

SCI is looking for a consultant to conduct a PDI to identify compelling, evidence-based positive behaviours associated with prevention of malnutrition. The consultant will bring a thorough understanding and prior experience in the PD approach. The consultant will help develop the context specific PDI protocol. The consultant, among other things relevant to successful implementation of the PDI, will develop an appropriate monitoring mechanism for PDI and build capacity of relevant personnel in the PDI approach as well.

DETAILS OF THE CONSULATNCY:

Location: AlKhokha district, Hodeidah.

Objectives of the consultancy:

The objectives of the consultancy are:

1) Develop and implement PDI protocol in ALKhokha district.

2) Local and demonstrated successful behaviours for prevention of malnutrition are identified, explored and transferred within the community using the PDI approach through peer mother support groups.

3) Capacity building of relevant personnel on PDI.

4) Provide evidence based information for informing future nutrition programming and strategies.

Activities of the consultancy:

The consultant is expected to carry out the following activities:

1) Develop PDI protocol.

2) Identify deviant behaviours related to prevention of malnutrition including IYCF. Implement the PDI in Al Khokha district.

3) Train key staff and CVs on PDI approach.

Deliverables of the Consultancy:

1) PDI protocol for use as a reference for future PDIs.

2) A document detailing positive deviant behaviours in the community.

3) Comprehensive monitoring mechanism/tools for documenting progress of PDI interventions.

4) Training report of PDI training conducted with SCI staff including detailed daily session planner and participant feedback.

5) Debriefing with in country team prior to departure from country office, outlining the results of the PDI, lessons learnt through implementing the PDI, update on PDI training carried out in country and list of action points and recommendations for the future.

6) Final Report within one month of consultancy completion. The consultant will discuss with the relevant SCI staff on a draft of the final report submitted within fifteen days of consultancy completion including the processes undertaken, main findings, conclusions and recommendations among other details. Relevant comments will be incorporated in the final report. The report should not be longer than 30 pages including annexes. The report shall follow the following format:

  • Executive Summary: must be a standalone summary, describing the PDI approach taken, protocols developed, main findings, progress, conclusions and recommendations. This will be no more than 2 pages in length.
  • Context
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations
  • Annexes: Listed and correctly numbered. Should include ToR and Work plan.

The main body of the report shall elaborate the points listed in the Executive Summary. In particular, for each key conclusion there should be a corresponding recommendation. Recommendations should be as realistic, operational and as pragmatic as possible; that is, they should take careful account of the circumstances currently prevailing in the context of the action and of the resources available to implement it locally.

Qualifications and experience

  • Health/nutrition qualification (e.g. Public Health, Health Management Systems, Nutrition) or equivalent, MSc preferred
  • Extensive understanding and experience of working on Behaviour Change projects including Positive Deviance in developing country contexts, preferably in the Middle East (significant field experience of at least 5 years preferred)
  • Good management and coordination skills, and experience on technical project implementation.
  • Experience and skills in training and transfer of knowledge.
  • Excellent written communication skills in English are a must.
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills required to meet deadlines.Ability and willingness to travel to very and sometimes insecure remote areas.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Please apply in English using your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your consultancy expectations for this


Application Email: Please apply with a covering letter and up-to-date CV to: Lucille.23464.4810@savethechildrenint.aplitrak.com


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